Method and Apparatus for Display Screen Shield Replacement

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for replacement of damages display shield (typically glass) covering a display screen on a device, typically a mobile phone. Mobile phones have an electronic display protected by a glass shield. Between the glass and the display is often a plastic polarizing or other intermediary sheet. Removal of a damage glass can be accomplished by cutting thru the polarizer with a moving wire or blade. This separates the glass from the sensitive display and allows replacement of the glass without damaging the more expensive display.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure invention is directed to a method and apparatusfor replacement of displays shield/glass on devices such as mobilephones.

2. Description of the Related Art

The proliferation of devices with display screens, particularly smallmobile devices, such as smart phones, means that there are large numbersof expensive mobile devices subject to harsh conditions. Typically, themost vulnerable portion of such devices is the display screen which isoften made of a hardened glass such as Gorilla® glass from Corning, Inc.Regardless of how strong the glass is made, some of them will inevitablybe broken, cracked or scratched to the point where the device is uselessunless the glass is replaced.

The cost of glass replacement has been prohibitive relative to the costof the device, because even though expensive, improvements on suchdevices, limits the realistic investment on repair.

The solution is to make the cost of repair/replacement of the glasssufficiently competitive to make it practical to repair rather thanreplace the device.

The problem has been that most display screens are a composite of glass(upper layer), a bonding layer, which may include a polarizer and thenthe electronic display component. Separation of the broken/damaged glassfrom the display unit without destroying the display component has beenlargely impossible. If the repair of the glass includes completereplacement of the display unit, then entire task is typically costprohibitive. Even warranty service by the manufacturer is financiallyimpaired by the cost of repair.

Thus a method and apparatus is needed which can efficiently replace theglass but not require replacement of the electronic display unit.

The present disclosure addresses both of these problems with aninnovative solution.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following summary is intended to assist the reader in understandingthe full disclosure and the claims. The claims define the scope of theinvention, not this summary.

The present disclosure includes a method and apparatus for replacingprotective glass on a device having a display or the display alone.

In the method, a display unit having protective glass top surface,electronic display device and an intermediate layer therebetween is heldin a bed/jig/carrier. A wire having a thickness of less or equal to thatof the intermediate layer is coplanar with said intermediary layer. Thenthe display unit and wire are moved relative to each other so that thewire will progressively penetrate the intermediate layer and separatethe glass from the electronic display by cutting thru the intermediatelayer.

In a further embodiment, the display unit may be fixed and the wire maybe moveable into the intermediate layer in a Y axial direction.

In a further embodiment, the wire may be moving in an X axial directionwhile it is moving in a Y axial direction to increase the cutting speed.

In a further embodiment, the wire may be heated to more rapidly cut ormelt the intermediary layer.

In a further embodiment, the display unit may be moved collinearly alonga plane as the wire penetrates the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the display unit may remain fixed in a planwhile the wire moves in a coplanar direction thru the intermediatelayer.

In a further embodiment, the wire may be replaced with a blade.

In a further embodiment, the blade may reciprocate.

In a further embodiment, the blade may be heated to speed passage thruthe intermediary layer.

Alternatively, the wire can be replaced by a laser beam which cuts thruthe intermediary layer.

Alternatively a high pressure water jet can be used in place of the wireto cut thru the intermediary layer.

Alternatively, the display unit may be heated, with the electronicdisplay portion cooled and the intermediate layer can be melted andsuctioned away or the display portion and glass can we suctioned apartwhile the intermediary layer is liquefied.

Alternatively, an acid may be applied to the unit which attacks theintermediary layer without affecting the electronic display portion andglass so that the layer is dissolved.

In the apparatus disclosure, a machine includes:

-   -   a. rail mounting on a housing;    -   b. a moveable bed/jig slidable along the rail in a predetermined        plane;    -   c. a drive motor;    -   d. a pair of guide rollers on either side of the moveable bed;    -   e. a wire driven by said motor to travel from one guide roller        to the other along a Y axis in said predetermined plane;    -   f. an adjuster for moving said guide roller and consequently        said wire into said predetermined plane;        whereby placing of a display unit consisting of a sandwich of an        electronic display portion, an intermediate layer and a glass        protective cover into said bed and collinearly aligning said        wire to be in the same plane as said intermediate layer, so that        moving the wire thru said plane will cause the electronic        display to separate from the glass cover by cutting through the        intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the guide rollers have a recessed waist portionfor receiving and guiding the wire and wherein said waist is located ina plane below the plane of the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the guide rollers have a recessed waist portionfor receiving and guiding the wire and wherein said waist is located ina plane above the plane of the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the wire is heated electrically as it moves inthe x and y planes.

In a further embodiment, the wire is heated electrically but does notmove in the X plane, but only the Y plane into the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the wire is heated by external sources.

In a further embodiment, the wire is replaced by a planar blade whoseplanar location is adjustable to match the plane in which theintermediate layer resides.

In a further embodiment, the blade reciprocates in said plane.

In a further embodiment, the blade is heated to melt the intermediarylayer.

In a further embodiment, the blade is heated on one surface, the surfaceadjacent the glass, and cooled on the other surface, the surfaceadjacent the electronic display unit.

In a further embodiment, the blade is replaced by a laser which isaligned to cut the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the blade is replaced by a high pressure jetwhich cuts the intermediate layer.

In a further embodiment, the electronic display is cooled whilst theglass is heated thereby softening the intermediate layer.

Also disclosed is a method of removing a protective glass top surfacefrom a display unit having a glass top, an electronic display portionand an intermediate layer therebetween comprising any or all of thefollowing steps:

-   -   a. fixing the display unit in a carriage with the intermediate        layer being exposed on all sides;    -   b. aligning a cutting device in a coplanar relationship with the        intermediate layer;    -   c. driving the cutting device into the intermediate layer while        moving the cutting device and display unit are moved relative to        each other along an axis generally orthogonal to the cutting        device;    -   d. advancing the cutting device into the intermediate layer to        separate the glass top from the electronic display portion.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is moved whilethe carriage is stationary.

Also disclosed is a method wherein the cutting device is stationarywhile the carriage is moved.

Also disclosed is a method further including the step of moving thecutting device laterally to the direction of entry into the intermediatelayer.

Also disclosed is a method further including the step of heating thecutting device.

Also disclosed is a method further including the step of applyingsolvent to the cutting device, said solvent capable of softening theintermediate layer.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is a laser beam.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is a wire.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is a flat bladeof thickness less than the intermediate layer.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is spray jet ofcutting fluid.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said cutting device is heated bypassing a current through it.

Also disclosed is a method further including the step of biasing thewire in the intermediate layer adjacent the electronic display portionand away from the glass, to minimize encounters with broken glass.

Also disclosed is a method wherein said biasing step includes locatingwire guide posts in a plane below that of the electronic display portionso that the wire is biased against that portion as it enters and exitsthe intermediate layer.

Also disclosed is a machine for removing protective cover glass from adisplay unit having a cover glass, an electronic display portion and anintermediate layer sandwiched therebetween, said intermediate layerdefining a first plane between the layer and the glass and a secondplane between the intermediate layer and the electronic display portioncomprising:

-   -   a. a housing;    -   b. a carrier for holding the display unit, said carrier        configured to hold said unit without blocking access to said        intermediate layer;    -   c. a slideable interface interposed between the housing and        carrier for moving the carrier relative to the housing;    -   d. a pair of first and second guides connected to said housing        and located on either side of the carrier;    -   e. a cutting element configured to travel in a path from one        guide to the other in a third plane;    -   f. an adjuster for positioning said guide roller and        consequently said cutting element between the first and second        planes,        whereby said cutting element is aligned between said first and        second planes to cut through said intermediary layer and        separate the glass from the electronic display element.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said guides are located such thatsaid third plan either above or below said first and second planes sothat said cutting element is biased to engage said intermediate layer ateither said first or second plan respectively.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is a wire.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is a blade witha thickness less than the distance said first and second planes.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is a wire andwhere the wire follows a path from a supply spool to the first guide, tothe display unit, to the second guide and to a take up spool.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said wire is driven by a motor andcontroller which creates reciprocal motion.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is heated bypassing the wire adjacent a heater.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is heated bypassing electricity through it.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is a fluid jet.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element includes asolvent sprayer.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element includes alaser cutter.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is stationaryand said carrier is movable.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element is moveable andsaid carrier is stationary.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said cutting element and carrier areboth movable.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said guides include a shockabsorber.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said shock absorber includesmounting said guides on a spring bias element.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said supply and take-up spools arewound.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein one of said spools is woundclockwise and the other counter-clockwise.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein said shaft is driven by a motor andfurther including a snag sensor to stop the motor if the wire hits anobstruction.

Also disclosed is a machine wherein the cutting element includes asource of heat to heat a leading edge of the element on its exteriorface.

Also disclosed is a machine further including a cooling device placeableadjacent the electronic display portion on its exterior face.

Also disclosed is a machine further including a heating device placeableadjacent the cover glass.

Also disclosed is a machine further including a cooling device placeableadjacent the electronic display portion and a heating device placeableadjacent the cover glass.

Also disclosed is a machine further including a pool of coldnon-conductive liquid in which the electronic display portion isreceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a wire cutting machine.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the machine in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the machine in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side plan view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 1 in exploded view.

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 5 rotated 90 degrees.

FIG. 7 illustrates an end plan view of a display unit of three layerswith a portion of the cutting wire shown.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment with ablade replacing the wire.

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a font perspective view of a third embodiment of a cuttingmachine where the cutting is done in the longitudinal direction on thedisplay unit.

FIG. 11 is a rear view of the subject of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present description discloses a method and apparatus for replacingdamaged protective transparent covers on displays. Typically such coversare glass, but can be any transparent or even translucent material whichis generally used to provide protection to the underlying electronicdisplay portion, such as an LCD or Led or liquid crystal display or thelike. The term “glass” therefore should be interpreted broadly beyondconventional silica or quartz based protectors to any transparent ortranslucent material for protective purposes.

As shown in FIG. 7, a mobile device 20, such as a cell/mobile phonegenerally use a sandwich structure of a first “glass” protective layer26, an intermediary layer 24, which can be a transparent tape adhesive,a liquid adhesive, a plastic polarizer layer or other bonding layer andthen an electronic display portion 22. Regardless of the nature of theintermediate layer, it has a particular thickness which can be utilizedin the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The intermediate layer isbounded by upper and lower interface planes which are adjacent theelectronic display portion and the glass layer and distance betweenthose planes is the thickness of the layer. Upper and lower are termswhich can be interchangeable because the glass layer can be on the topor bottom depending on the configuration of the method or machine. Whenassembled, this structure appears unitary and attempts to pry the glasslayer from the electronic display will almost certainly destroy theelectronic display.

As shown in FIG. 5, and as will be explained herein, the use of a thinwire 30 interposed between layers 22 and 26, and aligned in a coplanarrelationship with the intermediate layer, preferably as close aspossible to the plane adjacent the electronic display portion 22. Thewire, one of several possible cutting elements, can be used to separatelayers 22 and 26 without damage to layer 22. Damage to layers 24 and 26is unimportant because the glass will be replaced and the intermediatelayer may be destroyed.

By interposing a wire or cutting blade of thickness equal to or lessthan that of layer 24, cutting or melting action of driving the wire orblade into the intermediate layer (or moving the layer into the cutterwill free the electronic display unit from the glass layer 26 withoutdamage to the electronic display).

The preferred method of separating the electronic display unit (the onlyexpensive and valuable component) for reuse is to bias the wire or bladeagainst/adjacent or close to the plane adjacent the electronic display,i.e. the surface of the electronic display and maintaining cuttingelement in a coplanar relationship with that plane adjacent theelectronic display. This can be accomplished with a wire by keeping ittaut and aligning it carefully to maintain the coplanar relationship. Aslight bias of the wire against the electronic display can be helpful inkeeping it as far from the glass layer as possible to preventencountering/snagging of the glass layer 26. Snagging is a risk if theglass is broken, because shards may be driven into the intermediatelayer. Fortunately, the intermediate layer, such as a polarizer, acts asa safety shield, much like safety glass to prevent extreme intrusion ofthe glass into the electronic display layer.

As an alternative, the method can be practiced by aligning the wire inthe same plane as the intermediate layer 24 or in any plane between thetwo interface planes Because the wire may be thinner than layer 24,there could be multiple available planes. The preferred plan is closestto the electronic display for reasons set forth above.

The cutting action is accomplished by moving the display unit 20relative to the wire along an axis, indicated here as the Y axis asshown in FIG. 7. The y\Y axis is “into” the page along the face of unit20. This can be accomplished by moving the wire, the display unit orboth toward each other. The mere pressure of the wire will push thrulayer 24, but the process is enhanced if wire 30 moves along the X axisas shown. The movement can be continuous in either direction orreciprocating, which is preferred. The wire will naturally heat up as itmoves thru the layer and the heat will help melt the layer furtheraccelerating the process.

To further increase the cutting action of the wire, the wire itself canbe heated, either indirectly by a heating unit 61 adjacent to the wire,or by running a current thru the wire. Ni-chrome or other resistive wireis preferred but the wire could be heated by magnetic induction,particularly if ferromagnetic.

To further increase cutting action, and limit the risk of damage to theelectronic display, a blade (and to a lesser degree a wire) can becooled on the face which contacts the electronic display and heated onthe face which contacts the glass and on its leading/cutting edge.Heating and cooling elements can be provided which apply an air orliquid jet of appropriate temperature as the blade circulates orreciprocates in an out of contact with layer 24.

The wire or blade could also run through a pool or spray of solvent,(acid, base, alcohol, etc) which could assist in dissolving layer 24.

In addition, instead of a wire or blade, the cutting action could beachieved by a high pressure cutting fluid jet stream from a preciselyaligned nozzle. The fluid could include solvents to dissolve layer 24.

In addition, a precisely aligned laser beam could likewise be used todissolve layer 24.

In addition, the layers could be separated by applying heat to thesandwich unit 20 and suction to the glass 26 and electronic portion 22and the layers would be separated. To minimize the risk of damage to theelectronic unit, it could be simultaneously cooled by a cold jet orimmersion into a cold non-conductive liquid while being held in thecarrier. The glass layer can be made hotter than the electronic layer tofacilitate melting or softening of the intermediate layer to enhanceseparability. This concept can also be combined with the wire, blade,laser and solvent methods mentioned above.

The method is also illustrated through the apparatus disclosed in thevarious figures. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a wire cutting machine 50 with adisplay unit 20, portion of a mobile phone, shown in place ready forglass removal. The display unit is shown in the preferred orientationwith the glass portion 26 facing up. The opposite arrangement is alsopossible. The electronic display portion and intermediary layers are notvisible.

The display unit 20 is placed in a carrier/bed/jig/carrier 52 which isconnected to the housing by a slideable interface which allows thecarrier to move relative to the housing. As shown, one embodiment has anunderside which has grooves sized to receive engagement with a rail 54to allow it to slide along a Y axis either by hand movement orelectrical actuation. It is preferred if the carrier 52 grip the displayunit without occluding access/blocking the intermediate layer on anyside. This is because the cutting element must slice thru the entireintermediate layer without encountering obstacles and thus it must beexposed on all sides. Vacuum attachment from the underside of thedisplay unit is one option. Alternatively, a carrier 52 may use otherreleasable attachment systems such Velcro®, or have a recess in thecarrier sized to receive for the electronic display or glass portion.Grippers are also possible with side fingers spaced around the carrierto hold the unit and prevent movement. Hand movement of the carrier ispreferred so that the user can feel if there is any obstruction/snagthough an impact/snag sensor and electrical drive (such as shown in thelater embodiments) is also possible.

The cutting wire 60 is shown in various places along its route. In thepreferred embodiment, wire 60 is spooled onto bar 70 which have enlargeddiameter portions 72, 74. One is referred to as a source and the otheras a take up spool but they may also be the same spool. In thisembodiment, the source and take-up spool reverse direction so that thewire is moved in reciprocating directions. Continuous loop wires arealso possible so that direction need not be reversed. Bar 70 issupported on bearings and driven by a motor 76 which is actuated in onedirection for a period of time until the spool is largely played out andthen reversed.

Wire 60 then follows a path from the spools to the display unit.Vertically adjustable spindles 80/82 guide the wire by virtue of theirnarrowed waist/tracking band and rising angular sidewalls, where thewire is tracked in at its narrowest point. The height of the spindles iscontrolled by an adjustment mechanism 84/86 which include thumbscrew88/90 for Y axis (vertical) adjustment of each spool preferablyindependently. The spindles are shown along the same orthogonal axiswith respect to the carrier but it is possible to have one of thespindles lead the other (i.e. be located off that axis). This willresult in a slight cross/diagonal cut action which may be desirable.

To absorb any shocks caused by snagging of the wire (i.e. encounterswith hard objects), typically glass shards, the spindle adjustmentmechanism is preferably mounted on a bias element, in this case springs92 (see FIGS. 5-6). A shock can occur if the wire encounters a glassfragment which has intruded into the intermediate layer in which caseshock absorption could prevent cutting element breakage. In an automatedembodiment, a tension or position sensor can measure abnormal movement(x, y or z axis) of the spindle or cutting element and stop the wireimmediately upon detection.

In the preferred embodiment, spindles 80/82 control the plane in whichthe cutting element will track (i.e. the position of the cutting elementrelative to the intermediate layer it is cutting). The cutting elementis preferably adjusted to be close to the interface plane adjacent theelectronic display unit. Also preferable is a slight bias of the wiredownwardly against the electronic display 22 or the bottom of theintermediate layer 24 achievable by locating the tracking band of thespindles below that interface plane. If the display unit 20 is insertedopposite of what is described above, i.e. with electronic display uniton top, then the wire should be biased slightly upwardly so the trackingband will be above the interface plane.

An alternative to the wire cutting embodiments above, an alternativecutting element in the form of a planar blade is shown in the bladecutting machine 250 in FIGS. 7-8. To the extent the elements of theblade machine are similar to the wire cutting machine, the parts areindentified by the same number increased by 200.

The display unit 20 is not shown in this embodiment but like in the wirecutter, is placed in a carrier/bed/jig/carriage 252 which may bemoveable as in the wire machine on a rail 254 or as shown, is fixed inposition whilst the blade 260 is moved thru the display unitintermediate layer in the Y axis direction. Blade 260 is shown as anarrow blade (ca. 5 mm) but can also be a wide 1-20 mm or wider forgreater rigidity. The blade is shown aligned orthogonally to the displayunit but may be skewed for a diagonal cut as also expected for the wirecutting machine above.

The drive train in this embodiment is also applicable to the wire cutterembodiment. A motor 322 has a drive shaft connected to a coupler 324which drives a shaft 328 thru a bearing 324 and aperture 326 in supportblock 330. Carriage 252 sits atop a support structure 332 which ismoveable on rails or bearing (not shown). Shaft 328 may be threaded anddrives the movement of structure 332 as a screw drive (a fixed threadedplate receives the threaded shaft). Alternative drive systems arepossible as is manual operation.

Blade 260 is preferably a thin planar blade of thickness less than thatof the intermediate layer. Blade cutting is faster than wire cutting butis not always useable if the glass is damaged to the point that shardsare driven too far into the intermediate layer. The blade can bestraight or serrated and can be heated to help melt the intermediatelayer or may be heated on one side and cooled on the other (the cooledside would be adjacent to the electronic display portion) and theleading edge may be heated.

The blade drive mechanism preferably includes a motor 400, a drive shaft(not visible) to a drive wheel 402, which drives a shaft 403 to a belt404, and then to a bearing and shaft 406. Shaft 403 is affixed to wheel402 off axis and with a bearing to convert the rotary motion of thewheel to reciprocal motion of the shaft which is then transferred intoreciprocal motion of the blade 260 on a second sliding carriage 410which rides on a rail 412 to move reciprocally in a X axis directionwhile moving into the intermediate layer in the Y axis direction.

Though the preferred embodiment is motorized in the Y direction, it canalso be operated manually with handle 420.

Blade 260 is preferably aligned with the intermediate layer at itsmidpoint or adjacent to the electronic display portion without engagingits surface. One option is to angle/tip the leading edge of the bladeslightly away from the electronic display portion. This will furtherprevent engaging its surface. To minimize encounters with glassintrusions into the intermediate layer, the blade can alternatively beangled slightly toward the electronic display.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a version of the blade cutting machine (alsoapplicable to the wire cutter) with the blade (shown schematically as awire) penetrating the intermediary layer from the longitudinal (longer)side of the display device 20. The blade 260 is held in a reciprocatingassembly 502 preferably on a track. Alternatively, a continuous blade,such as used in a band saw, could run continuously in one direction.Reciprocation can be manual or by a solenoid actuator 504. Thetransverse movement of the display unit in the carriage 252 isfacilitated by sliding mounts 506 which move along shaft 508. Manual orautomated movement of the blade into the intermediate layer separatesthe broken glass. Of course, it is also possible that the carriage bemoveable in a direction transverse (or oblique) to the cuttingblade/wire with the blade/wire being stationary.

The machines preferably include at least one force sensor to detect anencounter with glass shards or other impediments/intrusions. Upon suchan encounter the cutting action can be stopped and the blade/wirewithdrawn.

As mentioned the cutting speed can be increased by heating the blade,heating the intermediate layer, applying a solvent to the blade whilecutting or by other means to soften or dissolve the intermediate layer.

In place of the blade or wire, other cutting tools may be substitutedincluding but not limited to water/solvent jet cutting, laser cuttingetc.

The disclosure also includes a computer controlled machine which aserver, processor and memory which carry out the method as disclosed.

The description of the invention and its applications as set forthherein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosedherein are possible and practical alternatives to and equivalents of thevarious elements of the embodiments would be understood to those ofordinary skill in the art upon study of this patent document. These andother variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed hereinmay be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

1.-38. (canceled)
 39. A method of removing a protective glass topsurface from an display unit having a glass top, an electronic displayportion and an intermediate layer therebetween comprising the steps of:a. fixing the display unit in a carriage with the intermediate layerbeing exposed on all sides; b. aligning a cutting device in a coplanarrelationship with the intermediate layer; c. biasing the cutting devicein the intermediate layer adjacent the electronic display portion andaway from the glass, d. driving the cutting device into the intermediatelayer while moving the cutting device and display unit are movedrelative to each other along an axis generally orthogonal to the cuttingdevice; e. advancing the cutting device into the intermediate layer toseparate the glass top from the electronic display portion.
 40. Themethod of claim 39 wherein the cutting device is a flexible wire whichtravels from a first spool to a second spool and back and first andsecond guides located adjacent said carriage, including the step oflocating said guide below said carriage and closer to said electronicdisplay portion than said glass, so that said wire is biased toward saiddisplay portion.
 41. The method of claim 39 further including the stepof applying solvent to the cutting device, said solvent capable ofsoftening the intermediate layer.
 42. The method of claim 39 whereinsaid cutting device is a wire.
 43. The method of claim 39 wherein saidcutting device is a flat blade of thickness less than the intermediatelayer and including the step of adjusting the leading edge of thecutting device so that it engaged more adjacent said electronic displaythan said glass.
 44. The method of claim 39 wherein said cutting deviceis spray jet of cutting fluid.
 45. The method of claim 39 wherein saidcutting device is heated by passing a current through it.
 46. A methodof separating a protective glass top surface from an display unit havinga glass top, an electronic display portion and an intermediate layertherebetween comprising the steps of: a. fixing the display unit in acarriage with the intermediate layer being exposed on all sides; b.aligning a cutting wire in a coplanar relationship with the intermediatelayer; c. biasing the cutting wire in the intermediate layer immediatelyadjacent the electronic display portion and away from the glass bylocating the guide path of the wire below the display, d. driving thecutting wire into the intermediate layer while moving it receiprocallytherethrough so that the cutting device and display unit are movedrelative to each other along an axis generally orthogonal to the cuttingwire; e. advancing the cutting wire into the intermediate layer toseparate the glass top from the electronic display portion
 47. A machinefor removing protective cover glass from a display unit having a coverglass, an electronic display portion and an intermediate layersandwiched therebetween, said intermediate layer defining a first planebetween the layer and the glass and a second plane between theintermediate layer and the electronic display portion comprising; a. ahousing; b. a carrier for holding the display unit, said carrierconfigured to hold said unit without blocking access to saidintermediate layer; b. a slideable interface interposed between thehousing and carrier for moving the carrier relative to the housing; d. apair of first and second guides connected to said housing and located oneither side of the carrier; e. a cutting element configured to travel ina path from one guide to the other in a third plane, said guides arelocated below said second plane so that said cutting element is biasedto engage said intermediate layer at second plane; whereby said cuttingelement is aligned between said first and second planes to cut throughsaid intermediary layer and separate the glass from the electronicdisplay element.
 48. The machine of claim 47 further including anadjuster for adjusting the position of said guides and consequently saidcutting element to apply greater or lesser bias force against saiddisplay portion.
 49. The machine of claim 47 wherein said cuttingelement is a wire.
 50. The machine of claim 47 wherein said cuttingelement is a wire and where the wire follows a path from a supply spoolto the first guide, to the display unit, to the second guide and to atake up spool.
 51. The machine of claim 50 wherein said wire is drivenby a motor and controller which creates reciprocal motion.
 52. Themachine of claim 47 wherein said cutting element is a wire and whereinthe wire is heated.
 53. The machine of claim 52 including a pair wireheaters located adjacent said display unit on both sides thereof, sothat the wire is heated before it cuts said intermediate layerregardless of which direction the wire is traveling.
 54. The machine ofclaim 52 wherein said cutting element is heated by passing electricitythrough it.
 55. The machine of claim 47 wherein said cutting element isa fluid jet.
 56. The machine of claim 47 wherein said cutting elementincludes a solvent sprayer.
 57. The machine of claim 47 wherein saidcutting element includes a laser cutter.
 58. The machine of claim 47wherein said cutting element is stationary and said carrier is movable.59. The machine of claim 47 wherein said cutting element is moveable andsaid carrier is stationary.
 60. The machine of claim 47 wherein saidcutting element and carrier are both movable.
 61. The machine of claim47 wherein said guides include a shock absorber.
 62. The machine ofclaim 61 wherein said shock absorber includes mounting said guides on aspring bias element.
 64. The machine of claim 50 wherein said shaft isdriven by a motor and further including a snag sensor to stop the motorif the wire hits an obstruction.
 65. The machine of claim 47 wherein thecutting element includes a source of heat to heat a leading edge of theelement on its exterior face.
 66. The machine of claim 47 furtherincluding a heating device placeable adjacent the cover glass.
 67. Themachine of claim 52 further including a cooling device placeableadjacent the electronic display portion and a heating device placeableadjacent the cover glass.
 68. The machine of claim 47 further includinga pool of non-conductive cooling fluid in which the electronic displayportion is received.
 69. A machine for separating a protective coverglass from a display unit having a cover glass, an electronic displayportion and an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween, saidintermediate layer defining a first plane between the layer and theglass and a second plane between the intermediate layer and theelectronic display portion comprising; a. a housing; b. a carrier forholding the display unit, said carrier configured to hold said unit; c.a slideable interface interposed between the housing and carrier formoving the carrier relative to the housing; d. a pair of first andsecond guides connected to said housing and located on either side ofthe carrier; e. a flexible wire cutting element configured to travelreciprocally in a path from one guide to the other in a third plane,said guides are located offset from said second plane so that saidcutting element is biased to engage said intermediate layer adjacentsaid second plane; whereby said cutting element is aligned between saidfirst and second planes to cut through said intermediary layer andseparate the glass from the electronic display element.